GAMING BILL.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 3665, 14 July 1927, Page 4

GAMING BILL.

DISCUSSED BY ANGLICAN SYNOD.

The provisions of the Gaming Amendment Bill were discussed at Wellington on Monday by the Anglican Synod, which agreed to a motion in favour of steps being taken to reduce the facilities for gambling. The question was introduced by the Rev. H. A. Walke (Johnsonville) who moved: “That the synod enter a strong protest against the Gam ing Bill, which apparently would give increased facilities for one of the greatest social evils of the day.” He said that the Bill would undoubtedly increase gambling. It was said it would eliminate the bookmaker, but on the other hand they would probably find that gentleman represented in every factory and office.

Mr. R. W. Bothandey (Pahautanui) opposed the motion and said the only people who were against the amendment were the parsons, but they were the ones who knew the least about betting. Surely it should be left to the Government to make what laws it liked. It was purely a political question. At present there was a bookmaker at every street corner, and betting was carried on on the rredit- system. The Bill, if passed, would stop that and materially curtail the volume. The Rev. F. S. Ramson (Petone) contended that gambling was immoral in that the person who gambled expected to get something for nothing and did not trouble where the money he won came from or whether the tills were robbed and women and children left without the necessaries of life. Mr. G. Shirtcliffe recounted his experiences on a recent visit to Randwick, where about 90 per cent, of the betting was done with the bookmakers. He came to the conclusion 'that the totalisator was preferable. He was afraid, however, that gambling was inherent in the Britisher, and it was perhaps better to have the machine, which did not rob its patrons rather than encourage the subterranean bookmaker.

Mr. W. F. Baird (Ohakune) ad vanced the suggestion that under the circumstances the totalisator was preferable to the bookmaker because it gave the public a better chance. People frequented the racecourse in the hope of obtaining money quickly, and in that they were only following the example of the land speculator.

Mr. E. Hadfield (Wellington) stated that the Bill was being promoted by the racing clubs, who affirmed that it would tend to clean up the bookmaker by making the bets a cash transaction with the clubs instead of a credit business as at present with the bookmakers. Without a full knowledge of the effects of the Bill they might make themselves look foolish by passing the motion.

The Rev. N. S. Barnett (Berhampore) said he had'lived at Trentham for five years, and had gained a certain amount of inside information on the racing issue which it would not be wise to recount in open synod. At one time there was 100 children being treated in the hospital there for the after effects of infantile paralysis but thp hospital had to be closed down because the expenses was too great. At the same time many thousands of pounds were being spent on improvements to the Trentham racecourse buildings, and the Government were cognisant of it. In the same locality was a prison camp, and many of those confined there ascribed their downfall to gambling on .the races.

A motion that the synod proceed to the next business was lost and the discussion proceeded. ■Mr. H. E.' Evans (Wellington) moved as an amendment: “That this synod trusts that in any legislation dealing with the question of gaming the Government, and Parliament, will regard the reduction of this evil as a paramount consideration.”

The Rev. H. A. Walke, in reply, said the Church of England should have the courage to say where it stood on the question, without any watering down. Where gambling increased civilisation decayed. The Bill would increase the gambling spirit. The amendment was carried.